Obviously, you don't expect Quentin Tarantino to present anything subtle and obvious in his films. The man is an archetype for loud, applaud-worthily-blunt and methodically chaotic films. Therefore, even before I watched Inglourious Basterds, I knew the movie would not disappoint me.
The plot of the movie is what we have studied over and over in our History Books at school. Human predicament during the World War II; Germany's domination over the European countries; Hilter's reign and cruelty. What the movie's added is a fictitious drama(I suppose had they included this in the History Books, none of us would have dozed off during class.).
A bunch of soldiers, American-Jews have formed a group called 'The Basterds.' The main aim and mission of this group is to terminate the Nazis. The group is lead by Lieutenant Aldo Raine(Brad Pitt) who is nicknamed 'Aldo the Apache', for he collects the scalps of the Nazis he kills. (A practice by the Native-Americans to prove one's bravery & a profitable proof of one's prowess at war.) Aldo is assisted by his men:
Sgt. Donny Donovitz ('The Bear Jew')
Pfc. Omar Ulmer
Pfc. Simthson Utivich ('The Little Man') and others
Colonel Hans Landa(Christoph Waltz), nicknamed 'The Jew Hunter' is a skilled, ruthless Nazi Officer who manages to find Jews in the most unimaginable hiding places. He is a strict, charming, intensely persuasive and irresistible man. Landa massacres a Jewish family, who are hiding at a farm-house. However the daughter, Shoshana Dreyfus manages to escape and she goes on to avenge her family's death.
I don't believe in co-incidences but that is what works in the film Shoshana plans a callous bloodbath for the Germans, as opportunity strikes at her and unaware and oblivious of her personal vengeance, the Basterds plan a carnage at the same event. Now what happens when two different sides have the same motive but are unaware of each other's plans? The excitement and anxiety of the climax is marvelously executed, without making it seem like a stringent act.
Apart from the vibrant cinematography and witty script, what works for this film is the cast. The casting has been done brilliantly that It makes you believe that no one else would have portrayed these characters better than the ones who have done so, especially Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa. He is flawless and his screen presence as the the cold-cunning-selfish officer is felt on every individual who watches the film. Even the minor characters( I don't really like calling them minor because even though they have less screen time, their characters are very significant) are awe-inspiring and impressive. For instance, B.J Novack as Pfc.Smithson Utivich(one of the Basterds) is someone to look out for. The man, makes you hear his silence and when he does open his mouth, he will have you rolling on the floor, laughing; And he doesn't do it with an intention. Similarly, Omar Doom and Eli Roth, along with Til Shweiger ( as Sgt.Hugo Stiglitz) and Michael Fassbender (as Lt. Archie Hicox) are the perfect Basterds to this entertaining and twisted pandemonium.
I don't need to persuade you to watch this one. If you like watching Tarantino films, this one makes Pulp Fiction look like......"Pulp- Fiction!!!!"
